A recent renovation of this 1980s house only highlighted its remaining architectural flaws. For phase two, the owners envisioned a bolder entryway, a larger living room, and a better connection to the backyard pool.

The opportunity to purchase side-by-side apartments on the top floor of a Chinatown building allowed these clients to build the light-filled loft they really wanted. Although a structural partition between the two units had to stay, Höweler + Yoon Archite

Faced with a square concrete warehouse and only one wall of north-facing windows, Anne Fougeron, AIA, worked magic by adding a grasshopperlike penthouse bedroom that alights on the building's surface, opening the entire loft to the sun.

Those lucky enough to possess a vacation residence often become emotionally attached to it. But for Paul and Jeannine Weeks, who own this 1950s A-frame on a Tennessee lake, the connection goes even further: Paul's late father, architect Felder Weeks, desi

Shipley Architects, Dallas. These homeowners, who travel frequently, wanted to see the stars from their bed. Dan Shipley, FAIA, the designer of their existing house, “encouraged them to be a little daring” in how they got their wish.